Hello and welcome! Please understand that this website is not affiliated with Bourjois in any way, it is only a reference page for collectors and those who have enjoyed the classic fragrances of days gone by.

The main objective of this website is to chronicle the history of the Bourjois fragrances and showcase the bottles and advertising used throughout the years.

However, one of the other goals of this website is to show the present owners of the Bourjois perfume company how much we miss the discontinued classics and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back these fragrances!

Please leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the fragrance, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or what occasion, any specific memories, what it reminded you of, maybe a relative wore it, or you remembered seeing the bottle on their vanity table), who knows, perhaps someone from the current Bourjois brand might see it.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Manon Lescaut Face Powder

Manon Lescaut is an opera in four acts by Giacomo Puccini. The story is based on the 1731 novel L’histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut by the Abbé Prévost.


The libretto is in Italian. It was somehow cobbled together by five librettists whom Puccini employed (or went through): Ruggero Leoncavallo, Marco Praga, Giuseppe Giacosa, Domenico Oliva and Luigi Illica. The publisher, Giulio Ricordi, and the composer himself also contributed to the libretto. So confused was the authorship of the libretto that no one was credited on the title page of the original score.

Puccini took some musical elements in Manon Lescaut from earlier works he had written. For example, the madrigal Sulla vetta tu del monte from Act II echoes the Agnus Dei from his 1880 Messa a quattro voci. Other elements of Manon Lescaut come from his compositions for strings: the quartet Crisantemi (January 1890), three Menuets (probably 1884)[1] and a Scherzo (1883?). The love theme comes from the aria Mentia l'avviso (1883).

Bourjois used this beautiful name for their powder, Manon Lescaut starting in 1907. The powder was still being sold in 1946.


From advertisements in the 1908 Sears & Roebuck catalog:

"Bourjois Manon Lescaut. This world famous perfume represents the finest article manufactured by any Paris perfumer. The perfume odor is not that of any particular flower but represents the fragrance from the combined flowers of France. This perfume, therefore, has many times been called the Pride of France. The perfume is put up in beautiful colored embossed bottles holding by actual measurement 1 1/2 fluid ounces. The bottles are of irregular design characteristic of imported goods and trimmed with colored kid and rich silk. Each bottle put up in handsome colored lithographed fancy box. This wonderfully lasting perfume is very rich in odor, sweet and refined in character and wonderfully lasting, a few drops being sufficient to perfume an entire room.. Our price -$1.67."

"Bourjois Poudre Manon Lescaut. If you want the best, buy this. This world famous powder has been named after the beautiful heroine of the Abbe Prevost. This is the most famous of all face powders , highly and sweetly perfumed and made of the finest Oriental rice, which is bolted many times until it has become perfectly impalpable. This is combined with other ingredients, all of which are absolutely harmless to the most delicate complexion, yet when used upon the face,become perfectly invisible. This powder is made by and represents the highest skill of the world's master in face powder. Our price -per box $0.93, two boxes -$1.75."

c1922 ad



Violette de Parme

From advertisement in the 1908 Sears & Roebuck catalog:

"Bourjois Imported Violette de Parme. This worldwide famous perfume, manufactured by A. Bourjois & Co, of Paris ,France, is put up in graceful and delicate flagons, holding 1 1/2 fluid ounces , actual capacity perfume. beautiful cut faced stopper. The package is trimmed with purple and violet kid and ribbons in harmony with the label, whic is in two shades of violet and silver, Each bottle carefully packed in cotton in neat violet covered perfume box. This perfume is very delicate and lasting and a true representation of the flower odor. This is considered the best violet perfume manufactured and is appreciated by everyone. every drop of this magnificent article is equal to the perfume from several violets and a single drop is sufficient for several hours. Buy the best. Our price -$0.89."




Creme de Java

From advertisements in the 1908 Sears & Roebuck catalog:

"Bourjois Creme de Java. The most perfect and delightful of al face creams. The only one imported from Paris to be sold at reasonable prices. very delicately, but richly perfumed;absolutely snow white in color, rubs into the skin and leaves no traces. It is known as "The Instant Beautifier", as applications will made a muddy complexion a fine natural cream. It is also a safe remedy for all skin troubles that are purely skin troubles and not caused by an impure condition of the blood. Gives freshness and softness to the skin.Once used, you would have no other. Carried only in 2 ounce, opal, fancy top, import packages. This is not like many so called import packages, but is guaranteed to be the genuine Imported Creme de Java. try it and be convinced,. Our price- $0.59."

Java Poudre de Riz c1879

From advertisements in the 1908 Sears & Roebuck catalog:

"Bourjois Java Poudre de Riz. We guarantee this to be the genuine imported Java Rice Face Powder. It is made by A. Bourjois & Cie, Paris France. Used almost exclusively by the theatrical profession. Absolutely pure. Delightful and lasting perfume. Absolutely free from injurious substances. The most adherent powder in the world. Almost double the powder found in any other box. Our price- $.027"

Bourjois Rouge de Theatre

From advertisements in the 1908 Sears & Roebuck catalog:

"Bourjois Rouge de Theatre. This is not the cheap American rouge but the genuine Imported Bourjois Rouge put up in round wooden boxes. This is positively the best,giving a natural and lifelike glow,never injures the skin is today considered by the theatrical profession the only safe and satisfactory rouge, and used by them almost exclusively owing to the fine distributive qualities which it possesses so that it can never be noticed or detected. Be sure to get the genuine. Our price- $0.19"

La Rose Pompon Perfume c1909

Evening in Paris by Bourjois c1929

 Sold in department stores and drug stores for over thirty years, Evening in Paris was given to many a mother, a sweetheart or a friend as a special gift to win her heart with its enticing scent.

Evening in Paris by Bourjois: created by Ernest Beaux, assisted by Constantin Mikhailovich “Kot” Weriguine, was launched in 1928 in France under the name Soir de Paris and was an instant hit. The name evoked the reputation of gaiety, romance and love of the French capital. It was then named Evening in Paris and 1929 for sale in the United States.


Ashes of Roses by Bourjois c1909

Cendre des Roses, "Ashes of Roses" in English, was a toiletry line by Bourjois launched in France in 1909 and the USA by 1913, it was introduced to England in 1923 with the formation of Bourjois Ltd. For most people today, the name may seem strange. The Ashes of Roses name was based on a specific mauve fabric color called "Ashes of Roses" which was popular in the late 1800s and into the early 1900s. Other "Ashes of..." colors were also offered in the Victorian era.

 Ashes of Roses was created by Ernest Beaux.